St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-16
SOUTHERN: WELCOME
Given the President and His
Wife by the People Of
Memphis.
The Pleasure of the Event
Seriously Marred by the
Sudden Death
OF Judge Elicit Just After De-
livering the Speech Of
Welcome.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland Tenn
porarily Left at a Tennes-
see Way Station.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, Oct. 15.-The mana
gers of the presidential reception are
quite chagrined over the little mishap
of yesterday. and were in consultation
long after midnight with regard to the
proceedings Of to-day. This morning
the committees were promptly on hand,
but the late hours of last night caused a
delay III starting the procession of car
riages, and again upset the committees
arrangements. No harm was done be-
yond curtailment of the opportunity
offered the president to see the city.
Memphis is not beautiful city. 1t
bears too many of the scars of war and
pestilence, but it is a very busy one.
The Old-time, ante-bellum architecture,
showing small and rusty fronts, prevails
largely, but in its main business thor
oughfare modern structures of sub
stantial appearance are showing them
selves, while the wharves and ware
houses show the pushing energy
of its business men, and give
promise of prosperous future.
The procession. headed by the band and
military, moved from the hotel at 1O:15
O'clock. The ride through the town
was full of interest. The decorations
are probably more elaborate and gem
erad than those of any place yet visited
by the president. with the possible ex-
ceptlOn of Madison. Whatever gay
colors could do to make the occasion a
success has been done. Twice along
the line of march beautiful bouquets Of
flowers in unique designs were lowered
mt In tc
many people as were ever seen in town
before were upon the streets, but good
order was preserved by the mounted
marShalS. The large, handsomely
dressed stand in the center of Court
square was reached by the president
about 10:30 and the formalitieS of the
reception were begun.
1.-THE FORMAL SPEECH OF WELCOME
was delivered by Judge III. T. Elicit, of
the chancery court, a courtly gentleman
.'f higflslocai repute, who spoke both for
4emphis and for the South Heck
tended, as the representative of the peo-
pie of Memphis, a hearty welcome, and
presented, not symbOlically only but in
the most substantial and practical form,
the freedom of the city.
You have recently participated he said.
'tin a celebration of the Tooth anniversary of
the formation of the constitution of the
United States, and you have beheld the null
titudes of our fellow-cOuntrymen flocking
from every direction TO the spot where that
instrument was fashioned, and renewing
their VOWS of fealty to the shrine OF that
grandest monument of human wisdom Let
me say, sir. that the Southern
heart WIS in full sympathy with
nowhere in this broad land will you find
more loyalty to the constitution of the United
States, and the government created by it,
than among the people of the Southern
states. Differences of opinion as TO its true
theory and its proper construction in some
points existed from its very creation, and the
controversy has often been angry and bitter
One great ami important interest," in the pro-
gress of things, became sectionalized, and
out of it rose a question of constitutional in
depreciation which was regarded by Southern
people as so vital to their rights and inter
eSts that they committed their solution to the
arbitration of arms, but, Mr.. President, they
have bowed to the stern logic of events until
they have, in n frank and manly way,
accepted the result of the struggle as q
final settlement of all questions in dis
pute; and they have since labored with rare
courage, fortitude and cheerfulness to ac-
commodate themselves to their new condi-
tions; to reconstruct their broken fortunes
and to contribute, as far as possible, TO the
general prosperity and happiness of the
whole country. AS one practical result
accomplished by the conflict, the theory of
the right of state to withdraw from the fed
eral compact was overthrown and the inde-
structibility of the American union was es-
tablished on the firmest foundations The
chief element of discord has been removed
forever; and though questions will continue
to rise about which men may differ, and diff
fer earnestly, it is settled beyond appeal that
for all u;ad abuses S., and grievances that
the general government the remedy must
hereafter be sought within the pale of
the union and under the forms Of established
law. There are distinguishing features of
this occasion which invest it with peculiar
interest. Heretofore presidential progresses
have usually been of a political character
and have been without the grace and charm
afforded by the female presence and infiu-
ence. In these respects the present event is
exceptional We all rejoice that you are ac-
companied by Mrs. Cleveland, and we are
glad of an opportunity to lay at her feet our
tribute of homage and admiration. To her,
fellow-cOuntrywOmen her presence is eSpeci-
ally gratifying. They are proud to have such
q representative OF their sex as the presiding
mistress of the executive mansion and at the
! head of society in the national capital, and
to know that in the discharge Of all her drl-
ties she is constantly winning golden opiii-
ions from all sorts of people. On behalf of
the ladies of Memphis, l beg you TO present
to her their cordial and respectful saluta-
tiops
THE PRESIDENT REPLIED:
The city of Memphis represents neither
new settlement nor recent municipal Great
ton. She has a long history full of yicissi-
t,ide and discouraging incident. Now the larg
estcity in Tennessee, in her first growth was
illustrated the universal push and activity of
her people. i have come from sightseeing
in the wonderful West TO be still surprised
in, The South. From marvellous growth. /
haze come to see not only marvellous growth,
but astonishing recuperation,, The active
trade upon your streets and in your cX-
changes tells only the tale of one of the larg-
est cotton markets in the world, and of one
ofjthe most prosperous and flourishing cities
of the South. Scarcely trace is
seen Of the trials aud discour-
gaining its present position, and yet, when
It had in 1862, b. steady growth, reached a
population of 10000. il was occupied by q
military force, and for four years thereafter
was held as fortified camp. During this
time the people were scattered and its
war, its citizens returned to their homes,
they courageously set about repairing the
damage of war and military occupation. AL
though within ten years thereafter twice was
This city afflicted with yellow fever. yet even
through these visitations her people strug-
gled OH, determined 10 overcome. In 1S1S
when once more apparently ON the high road
to permanent prosperity, this devoted city
was again visited by the dreadful scourge in
more malignant form than ever before.
No one can wonder that in the renewed
presence Of this dire calamity, its suffering
citizens fled for their lives. Ola population
which, through all discouragements had
reached 4O,O ,O0u but about 10000 remained !;
and of these fully 1000 died of the terrible
epidemic in two and half months. In this
sombre picture let us contemplate moment
one bright spot lighted up by the spirit of
brotherly love and illuminated by the kindly
sympathy Of generous nation. From all
parts of the country, near and distant, from